Commenting on children from disadvantaged backgrounds finding it harder to adapt to home-based learning introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan noted there are worries that such "inequalities will be entrenched". She hopes schools will "pay more attention to these children and help them catch up". However, she does see a silver lining in the situation. "As inequalities are rendered visible, our children will also see the marginalised groups in our community and, I hope, grow compassion for these vulnerable groups. They will also see how well we cope as a community and the value of an integrated society with strong ties." Prof Straughan reckons that despite the fissures, "this generation of children will emerge stronger from the pandemic" because the country has managed community spread well so far.